I love encouraging students to make their own stories and to enjoy the creative process.

I work with students from grades 1-12, and adults too.

*** NB I'm also available for online sessions. *** 

I can do online sessions via Zoom, Skype, Google Meet - whatever service you're comfortable with. These sessions work much the same as if I were there in person: I can still give a presentation, I can still answer questions and I can still lead the students in a drawing activity. The advantage is I can beam straight into your classroom, no matter where in Australia or the world you are.

I can run sessions about ...

- MY EARLY JOURNEY: the books I made when I was a child (this is a school favourite!)
- SPONTANEOUS STORIES: illustrated tales based on audience suggestions
- THE CREATIVE PROCESS: how I go about writing/illustrating a picture book/graphic novel
- THE MAKING OF one or more of my books
- VISUAL LITERACY for picture books
- VISUAL LITERACY for graphic novels/comics
- combinations of the above

I run workshops on ...

- how to draw cartoons
- creating comics
- how to write/illustrate picture books
- how to write/illustrate comics/graphic novels
- secrets of character design
- how to make clay character maquettes
-digital illustration techniques
- combinations of the above
- making a collaborative picture book in a day (requires 5 school contact hours, 12-20 students max)

I also do ...

- artist residencies
- literature festivals
- collaborative community art projects
- professional development sessions for teachers, artists and aspiring illustrators

If you're after a different sort of talk or workshop, please get in touch.

Helping Sessions Run Smoothly

General Requirements

Please provide:

• a suitable venue (see below)
• either a digital projector or smartboard
• a whiteboard/easel
• a table to put my props and paraphernalia on

I will bring:

• my own laptop/ipad and adapters
• paper to do demonstration drawings on

If you have specified that you would like to include a drawing activity, please provide:

• plain white A4 paper
• lead pencils
• something for each student to lean on (e.g. a clipboard or book)

Venues & Scheduling

Sessions work best in a quiet venue that’s away from distractions and interruptions.

It’s also ideal if sessions can be located in one venue only over the course of the day. Usually the library, hall or theatre work great.

Please allow me at least a 10min breather between sessions.

If you need to run sessions in different venues over the day, please allocate at least 25 minutes between sessions

(i.e. it takes me 10 minutes to pack up a session, 15 minutes to set up the next session, and however long to get from one session to the other).

Group Sizes

65 students is an ideal group size for a workshop or talk.

I can work with larger groups provided all class teachers are present to assist with behaviour management.

If there are more than 120 students in a group, I’d greatly appreciate a PA and microphone.

Video Recording is not Permitted

I get paid to give talks and run workshops, so please, no video recording.

However, do feel free to take photos during the sessions.

Book Sales

I’d be happy to arrange book orders prior to or after the event with a local bookseller.

Behaviour Management

Generally this is not an issue, however if I need a hand I will indicate to teachers to assist.

Do let me know before each session if there are any behaviour issues I need to be aware of.

Teachers

It’s common sense really, but I need to say it anyway - I require at least one other teacher in the room with me at all times during a session. Ultimately, the school is responsible for duty of care.

I strongly encourage all class teachers to attend sessions with their classes, and to participate. A single visit by an author/illustrator can lead to weeks of themed, curriculum-based activities - but only if the teacher attends the visit and pays attention ;) 

There are classroom resources for all my books at www.jamesfoley.com.au/teachers.